He found her at her worst.
Her hard exterior cracked, exposing her tender innards. She trembled when he came near and hesitated when he smiled. Her past acceptance of gentleness and kindness had caused her to lay her soul bare. It was certainly her soul that suffered the most when that gentleness and kindness slipped away to the place where sweet feelings go to die.
This approach was very different but smacked of more of the same. With shadowed memories crowding her mind, she changed her tact. She felt certain this could be different. This would be different.
After all, she was a changed SHE. And HE was certainly a different HE.
He found her at her worst and she strove to be her best. Now, she knew it was different. She did more for herself while with him. She wanted more for him. She dreamed bigger dreams, reached for higher peaks. In a twinkle of happiness, a flash of laughter, a burst of embraces, it was over.
He found her at her worst. And when he was done with her, he put her back where he'd found her.